A bolo bao is quite possibly the quintessential pastry found in Hong Kong-style bakeries. A staple item to order from these bakeries, it is also known as a "pineapple bun." Despite its name, it doesn't contain any pineapple at all. The name is derived from the appearance of the top crust as it bakes. The ideal bolo bao is light, airy and soft inside, while the crust atop is buttery and crisp. Have it served warm or stuffed with a slab of butter and you'd be enjoying it the way many do back in Hong Kong.
Here are some spots to find the best bolo bao in Toronto.
794 Dundas St W
Patois
Although you can't walk in and purchase bolo baos to-go, order the famed Chinese “Pineapple” Bun Burger from this fusion restaurant on Dundas West.
31 Elm St
Lucullus Bakery
Quite possibly the most popular Chinese bakery in all of Toronto and the GTA. Having served Toronto since 1991, the pineapple buns here are so popular that you'd have to arrive early to get your hands on one.
4910 Yonge St
Bake Code
This popular bakery chain fuses Taiwanese recipes with modern European techniques. They do so many unique pastries, but the pineapple buns are absolutely incredible and contain unique items, including a salted egg yolk one.
336 Spadina Ave
Hong Kong Island Bakery
One of the most popular Chinese bakeries in Chinatown, this tiny spot makes excellent bolo baos with a crisp crust and wonderfully soft interior.
280 West Beaver Creek Rd Unit #30
Cha Kee
With two locations, this restaurant is popular for their HK cafe food and more specifically, their crisp pineapple buns. Feel free to get them as they come or in sandwich form as well.
345 Spadina Ave
Mashion Bakery
Mashion Bakery opened in 2011 and has been busy ever since. This small bakery in Chinatown makes some of the city's best bolo baos in addition to some great custard tarts and swiss rolls as well.
223 Ceremonial Dr #11-12
Papa John's Bakery
Not to be confused with the pizza chain, this small bakery in Mississauga makes some of the best pineapple buns in the entire city.
346 Bloor St W
Cuppa Tea - Bloor & Spadina
This bubble tea cafe makes handcrafted HK-style milk teas but is also popular for its warm crisp bolo bao stuffed with a slab of salted butter.
28 South Unionville Ave #1035
Garden Hong Kong Cafe
This small HK cafe in Markham's Langham Square doesn't appear like much outside. But inside, you will find some of the best pineapple bun sandwiches in the city.
2301 Brimley Rd
Aromaz Bakery
This tiny bakery located in Chartwell Shopping Plaza in Scarborough offers a variety of pastries and specialty cakes. Their bolo baos are incredible and they have some stuffed with fillings like bbq pork and coconut cream.
353 Broadview Ave
Tung Hing Bakery
This small chain of bakeries offers Chinese pastries as well as banh mis and bubble geas. However, their bolo baos are underrated, and they also carry a matcha bolo bao.
A bolo bao is quite possibly the quintessential pastry found in Hong Kong-style bakeries. A staple item to order from these bakeries, it is also known as a "pineapple bun." Despite its name, it doesn't contain any pineapple at all. The name is derived from the appearance of the top crust as it bakes. The ideal bolo bao is light, airy and soft inside, while the crust atop is buttery and crisp. Have it served warm or stuffed with a slab of butter and you'd be enjoying it the way many do back in Hong Kong.
Here are some spots to find the best bolo bao in Toronto.
794 Dundas St W
Patois
Although you can't walk in and purchase bolo baos to-go, order the famed Chinese “Pineapple” Bun Burger from this fusion restaurant on Dundas West.
31 Elm St
Lucullus Bakery
Quite possibly the most popular Chinese bakery in all of Toronto and the GTA. Having served Toronto since 1991, the pineapple buns here are so popular that you'd have to arrive early to get your hands on one.
4910 Yonge St
Bake Code
This popular bakery chain fuses Taiwanese recipes with modern European techniques. They do so many unique pastries, but the pineapple buns are absolutely incredible and contain unique items, including a salted egg yolk one.
336 Spadina Ave
Hong Kong Island Bakery
One of the most popular Chinese bakeries in Chinatown, this tiny spot makes excellent bolo baos with a crisp crust and wonderfully soft interior.
280 West Beaver Creek Rd Unit #30
Cha Kee
With two locations, this restaurant is popular for their HK cafe food and more specifically, their crisp pineapple buns. Feel free to get them as they come or in sandwich form as well.
345 Spadina Ave
Mashion Bakery
Mashion Bakery opened in 2011 and has been busy ever since. This small bakery in Chinatown makes some of the city's best bolo baos in addition to some great custard tarts and swiss rolls as well.
223 Ceremonial Dr #11-12
Papa John's Bakery
Not to be confused with the pizza chain, this small bakery in Mississauga makes some of the best pineapple buns in the entire city.
346 Bloor St W
Cuppa Tea - Bloor & Spadina
This bubble tea cafe makes handcrafted HK-style milk teas but is also popular for its warm crisp bolo bao stuffed with a slab of salted butter.
28 South Unionville Ave #1035
Garden Hong Kong Cafe
This small HK cafe in Markham's Langham Square doesn't appear like much outside. But inside, you will find some of the best pineapple bun sandwiches in the city.
2301 Brimley Rd
Aromaz Bakery
This tiny bakery located in Chartwell Shopping Plaza in Scarborough offers a variety of pastries and specialty cakes. Their bolo baos are incredible and they have some stuffed with fillings like bbq pork and coconut cream.
353 Broadview Ave
Tung Hing Bakery
This small chain of bakeries offers Chinese pastries as well as banh mis and bubble geas. However, their bolo baos are underrated, and they also carry a matcha bolo bao.
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